May 9 in The Former Soviet Union
In Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus and other countries of the former Soviet Union, the day of Victory over Nazi Germany was celebrated on May 9. When the German Instrument of Surrender actually entered into force in the West (May 8, 1945 at 23:01 CET) a similar but entirely separate document had not been signed with the Soviet Union, and it was not signed until the following day. Some post-Soviet countries, most notably the Russian Federation, have continued the tradition. Serbia celebrates May 9 as a national holiday as well. Although not a member of the Warsaw Pact, it was allied with the Soviet Union as a member of the Yugoslav Federation, and it was occupied by German forces from 1941 to 1944. In many cities people gather on the main square with the Serbian army to celebrate the anniversary with war veterans.
Read more about this topic: Victory Day
Famous quotes containing the words soviet union, soviet and/or union:
“In the Soviet Union everything happens slowly. Always remember that.”
—A.N. (Arkady N.)
“Today he plays jazz; tomorrow he betrays his country.”
—Stalinist slogan in the Soviet Union (1920s)
“Visitors who come from the Soviet Union and tell you how marvellous it is to be able to look at public buildings without advertisements stuck all over them are just telling you that they can’t decipher the cyrillic alphabet.”
—Clive James (b. 1939)